The Newark Police Department is continuing their investigation into the missing adult, John Dohms, a 64 year old male missing from his home located in the 100 block of East Cleveland Avenue. Dohms, who suffers from dementia, walked away from his home on Thursday, September 13th. Immediately following his reported disappearance, Newark Police Officers, including an NPD K9 team, with assistance from the University of Delaware Police, continued to check the area throughout the night, however Dohms was not located
NPD investigators learned that Dohms is known to frequent the trails in and around White Clay Creek State Park. On Friday, investigators obtained additional information and confirmed that Dohms was seen walking northbound on Creek Road into White Clay Creek State Park at approximately 3pm on Thursday, the day he went missing. A Maryland State Police Bloodhound conducted a track which confirmed his presence on Creek Road and State Park land. A terrain search by police recruits from the Delaware State Police Academy with assistance from DNREC Park Rangers was conducted in the park on Friday, however Dohms was not located.
Volunteer Search and Rescue teams from the region were called in and began a comprehensive search of White Clay Creek State Park and surrounding areas using horse and K9 teams. This search continued throughout the night on Friday and all day Saturday. On Saturday Evening at approximately 7:45pm a person matching Dohms description was spotted on Little Baltimore Road in the area of North Star Elementary. Investigators received an additional tip that a person matching Dohms description had been spotted near the Hockessin Post Office on Friday Afternoon. A bloodhound from Baltimore County Police responded to the area of North Star Elementary on Saturday Evening and confirmed Dohms presence in the Little Baltimore Road area.
With that new information, on Sunday Morning, NPD relocated their search operation from White Clay Creek State Park to the area surrounding North Star Elementary. Volunteer Search and Rescue teams continued their search throughout the day. NCCPD and the Hockessin Fire Department assisted throughout the day canvassing the area, however Dohms was not located.
The Newark Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance by asking all residents in the northern Newark, Hockessin and Southern Chester County areas to please check their sheds, out buildings, cars, under decks or any other place of shelter on their property as persons with Dementia will frequently take shelter in these locations when lost.
Dohms is described as 6’1”, 165lbs with gray hair and blue eyes. He is believed to be wearing khaki shorts, a bright green button down shirt, green socks with white tennis shoes. He may be in possession of binoculars and has a medic alert bracelet on his left wrist.
If Dohms is located residents should call 911 immediately to report his location.
